OPENING CEREMONY

Dear honorary guests, dear delegates, ladies and gentlemen!

It is a great honour and privilege for me to welcome you at the opening of the 8th Annual General Assembly (AGA 8) of the International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU). This event is very important not only for the members of the Association, but for maritime industry as a whole. That's why it is a great honour that Ukraine is the host country for this Assembly, and Odesa National Maritime Academy has the privilege to provide its premises for this outstanding event.

Now IAMU unites 48 members from 24 countries of the world.

This year International Association of Maritime Universities was awarded with the high status of non-governmental member of International Maritime Organization. IAMU has a unique opportunity to elaborate its own maritime education and training (MET) standards, corresponding to modern requirements of shipping industry and their implementation in world shipping, to take part in IMO discussion on review of STCW Convention and Code. I hope that this high recognition will enable the members of the Association to increase and expand its activities in implementation of high standards of education and training of seafarers as its main goal and also participate in other important areas of international shipping.
Globalization that is currently happening in world economy, in international shipping industry, and, in particular, in the World Maritime Education and Training system calls for modernization and upgrading of the sphere of maritime education and training. Consequently, this requires development of modern, perfected methods, techniques and standards. That is the reason why the motto of our Assembly this year is ÒWorld Maritime ExcellenceÓ.

Conference program includes 36 reports in the following themes: Globalization and Maritime Education and Training; Maritime Safety and Security; Maritime English; STCW Convention and Code Review; IAMU Standards Implementation; IAMU Competence Certification System and Response of World Maritime Education and Training System to Industry Request.

Yesterday we held the 2nd Presidents'/Rectors' Forum. During the Forum the participants have discussed different matters within the sphere of IAMU interests. Signing of the Odessa Statement has become the major result of the Forum. The Statement has determined the focal concept of IAMU activities for the next five years.

I hope that participation and hosting the 8th Annual General Assembly of IAMU will promote the advancement of ONMA and strengthen its position at world maritime education market.
I think that AGA 8 will make a great contribution in reaching the main goal of the Association - implementation of high modern standards and technologies of education and training of seafarers.

Let me wish us all luck and productiveness in our work.